Best Miter Saw For Beginners in 2024: Top 10 Picks

Are you looking for the best miter saw for beginners? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.   In the case of wood, it is used for cutting perpendicular to the grain. A mitre saw’s effective blade enables accurate cuts to be made on a variable cutting surface. Make sure the saw is at the right angle before each and every cut.

It’s not always easy to find and purchase a high-quality mitre saw. There is a wide variety of mitre saws to choose from. When comparing their specs and features, you’ll find that each one is unique. This article serves as a comprehensive and in-depth guide to everything you need to know before purchasing a miter saw.

Our Recommendations Best Miter Saw For Beginners

Top 10 Best Miter Saw for Beginners:

1) BOSCH GCM12SD 15 Amp 12 Inch Corded Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw – Best Overall:

The sliding arm on the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD 12-inch miter saw lets the user cut boards up to 14 inches wide. The saw has material supports on both sides that can be pulled out to stabilize boards up to 40 inches long. It can also cut compound bevels in both directions.

The clear saw guard on the Bosch miter saw is made so that it doesn’t get in the way of the user’s view of the cut at any point. 

The trigger handle has a comfortable ergonomic grip that can be used by people with either their right or left hand. It also has a padded, non-slip grip. The fences can be moved, and the numbers on the miter scale are etched into stainless steel to make them last.

During our tests, we found that the Bosch saw really is the best one on this list. First, it has a slide arm with no clearance that can sit up against a wall if needed. The arm is also very smooth, which makes it easy to cut straight lines. 

Also, there was no assembly to do, and there are a lot of extra references built in for roof rafters and valley cuts. The motor is very strong, and the dust collection was great. The only problems with this saw are that it’s a bit heavy to move around the shop and doesn’t have any lights or lasers.

2) DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw, 15-Amp, Single Bevel, Compound – Best Budget:

The DeWalt 12-Inch single compound miter saw has all the power and precision you need for cutting and trimming around the house, and it doesn’t cost much. It can cut boards up to 8 inches wide and cuts bevels in only one direction. 

It has a fence that slides out and can be used to help hold the board being cut. The DeWalt saw also has a safety feature that locks the spring arm in the “down” position unless you press a button on the back to unlock it.

During testing, there were few bells and whistles. This is because DeWalt put more emphasis on accuracy and power (which it has a lot of) than on extra features. We like how light this saw is compared to the sliders, which are much heavier. 

The arm that holds the wood down is awkward, and the saw can only cut on one side, but the locking detents for the blade angle are among the best in the test. The saw is definitely worth more than what it costs.

3) CRAFTSMAN V20 7-1/4-Inch Sliding Miter Saw – Best Quality:

The Craftsman V20’s small size and light weight are its most important advantages. Also, the fact that it can be used even when there is no electricity is a plus. 

Lithium-ion batteries are getting stronger, and this miter saw can make up to 585 cuts through a 34-inch medium-density fiberboard on a single charge. It comes with both a Craftsman 20-volt rechargeable battery and a charger for that battery.

This miter saw has a strong motor that turns the blade 3,800 times per minute. This makes it easy to cut through wall studs, baseboards, and molding. It also moves, which lets you cut boards that are up to 8 inches wide.

We didn’t know what to expect from the Craftsman V20 saw, mostly because it was heavy and had a lot of plastic parts. But it was easy to assemble, cut well, and was surprisingly quiet. We could see using this saw for things like flooring or trim work, but it could also be used for building materials. The plastic and the single-bevel action were our only real complaints (rather than dual).

4) Makita LS0815F Slide Compound Miter Saw – Best Value:

This Makita tool is a good choice for woodworkers who want a miter saw for the shop or to take to a job site. It can cut boards up to 12 inches wide, and it has material stabilizers that can be pulled out to hold boards in place while cutting. 

This miter saw is easy to move around because it only weighs 31 pounds, and it bolts to the work table to keep it steady.

The Makita saw has a port for collecting dust and a trigger brake that stops the blade from turning when the user lets go of the trigger. It also has a “soft start” that makes it less likely to move and more accurate. The saw can also cut both up and down bevels.

We liked that this saw’s blade wasn’t as big as a 12-inch saw’s because it didn’t seem to deflect as much as a 12-inch blade might. The motor was strong enough for such a small saw, but the saw’s ability to cut was great. Until the blade speeds up, the soft start is a little rough, giving the saw a chattery feeling. 

The other thing we don’t like is that the blade won’t tilt to the right, which makes the saw less useful.

5) Makita LS1019L 10″ Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw:

Makita’s LS1019L might be a good choice for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of space to work but still wants the most cutting power. This saw has a 10-inch blade, a dual compound bevel action, and a laser cutline for precise cuts. The 15-amp motor has a lot of power and spins at 3,200 rpm, so it can cut many different kinds of wood. It is the best compound miter saw for beginners.

The rails on this saw are made so that they come toward the user. This lets the saw be placed closer to a wall. The zero-clearance rails on this saw make it a good choice for a workshop or other small area.

During testing, Makita did well in almost everything. The saw had a great zero-clearance arm that worked well, and it had a lot of power. Also, the laser helps make sure the cut is straight, and the dust collection is excellent. The only problem we had with the saw was that it was a little hard to set up. Also, Makita says this saw is light, but at almost 60 pounds, it’s not that light.

6) Metabo HPT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw:

The Metabo HPT 12-inch miter saw with laser guide is cheap and can cut bevels in both directions. It also has a strong 15-amp motor. Because it has a laser, the cutline is easy to see on the board before it is cut. This will make it less likely for mistakes to happen. The Metabo also has a fence that can be turned, which makes it easier to cut crown molding.

The elastomer coating on the handle of this full-size saw is meant to reduce vibration, hand fatigue, and hand slippage. This is a nice feature that I didn’t expect to find on a cheaper saw.

There are both good and bad things about this saw. It has enough power to cut through almost anything that has to do with woodworking. The laser is also helpful because it makes it easy to line up cuts. 

It’s also not too heavy, in part because it doesn’t have any slides. But our model’s blade wasn’t square, so we had to fix it before it would cut right. Also, the lever for changing the saw’s tilt is hard to use and doesn’t make sense.

7) Genesis GMS1015LC 15-Amp 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw:

The Genesis GMS1015LC may not be the most durable thing on the market, but for a beginner, miter saw that costs less than $150, it’s a great deal. We love that you can get precise laser-guided cutting at this price.

If you’re fairly new to DIY, you probably don’t know much about the brand Genesis when it comes to power tools. But the Genesis GMS1015LC is the best deal you’ll find for a first miter saw.

This inexpensive machine has all the features you’d expect, like a dust collection system, a bevel that can be adjusted, the ability to cut in more than one direction, and a laser-guided cutting system. It also has an Arbor lock that lets you change blades quickly. All this for less than $150.

At this price, you probably wouldn’t expect it to be made of the most durable materials on the market. When you need to move the blade, it can also be hard to adjust the clamp.

8) Hitachi C10FCG 15-Amp 10″ Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw:

This model of miter saw from the well-known brand Hitachi is our second choice because it is accurate, powerful, and easy to use.

This miter saw is quite heavy-duty for beginning woodworkers. If you don’t have the money for this model, you probably don’t need to buy a saw of this size and quality.

But this is a great miter saw that can cut through even the hardest wood.

Also, this saw has a wide range of angles for bevels and miters.

This model is accurate and easy to use. If you have the money for it, it’s a great choice.

9) Festool 575306 Kapex Sliding Compound Miter Saw: best sliding miter saw for beginners

We can’t say enough good things about how well-made the Festool Kapex KS 120 REB is. The “REB” model of the popular and long-lasting Kapex KS 120 EB saw only changes a few small things.

There are parts on this 10-1/4-inch miter saw that you won’t find anywhere else. Because the rail faces forward, you can put the saw against a wall in your shop. Kapex says that the dust hood can catch up to 91% of the dust. You also have a great view over the back fence. When the crown molding is nested, cut it to a length of up to 6-5/8 inches. You can cut the trim up to 4-3/4 inches tall.

Festool does a lot of other things that just make sense. They give you things like a double laser cut line. The base of the saw was also made to be the same height as Systainer 1. So, you can use your Systainers as support for the material you are cutting.

Since we’ve used this saw, we can say that it is smooth, strong, and unbeatable. It is by far and away the best miter saw for woodworking unless you want to pay three times as much and look at commercial options.

10) Delta Power Equipment Corporation S26-262L 10″ Master Miter Saw with Laser:

This list wouldn’t be complete without the Delta Power Equipment Corporation S26-262L 10″ Shop Master Miter Saw, which is a very useful tool. Compared to the other models on this list, it is not as heavy. This cutting tool is very strong and has a 15-amp motor that can spin the blade at up to 5,500 RPM. 

It can cut through tough materials and gives you more freedom of movement. With the Delta Power Equipment Corporation S26-262L 10″ Shop Master Miter Saw, you can cut with precision and accuracy.

Buying Guide: What to Consider when Looking for the Best Miter Saw For Beginners:

There are a lot of electric miter saws on the market, and each one has its own pros, cons, features, price, etc.

The price of these miter saws can range from $100 to more than $1000.

Even if you are a beginner woodworker looking for your first miter saw, there are a lot of options, so you need to know what to look for and how to choose the best saw for you.

Since each miter saw has a different set of features, it is important to know exactly what you want before choosing the best one for you.

Since you are just starting out, you don’t need to worry about many of the features and accessories that come with more advanced miter saws.

But that doesn’t mean you won’t have to learn a few things to make sure your miter saw is an “investment” and not just a quick buy.

So, without further ado, here are a few things to think about before you buy a miter saw:

Budget:

Yes, your budget is a very important part of figuring out which miter saw is the best for you.

Woodworking is a hobby, and no hobby is worth spending your life savings on or going bankrupt over, no matter how much you love it.

We’re only talking about miter saws here, not about other, more expensive purchases you may have to make later on in your woodworking career (think: woodworking workshop).

Even so, you should still think very carefully about how much you want to spend on your new miter saw and how much you can spend before you start looking at saws.

This way, you won’t be “tempted” by saws that are too expensive for you to buy.

Don’t forget that this is just your first miter saw… After a few years, when you have more woodworking experience and are ready to spend more money on your tools, you can start looking at the $1000+ miter saws.

Of course, more expensive means better. A $100 miter saw won’t be as strong, accurate, or full of features as a $1,000 saw.

But don’t worry, even if you only have a few hundred dollars, you can still get a great miter saw that will work well and last you for years without needing to be fixed or replaced.

Brand Name:

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of miter saws that can be bought online right now.

Also, many different companies make these saws. Some of these brands are well-known and trusted, while others are not.

It’s not always necessary to buy a saw based on its brand name, but it’s something to think about when you’re shopping.

Maybe you have had a good or bad experience with a brand. It makes perfect sense to choose (or not choose) a miter saw based on how you know and feel about this brand.

Also, it’s best to avoid buying a miter saw from a brand you’ve never heard of, even if it’s a great model. It’s just safer to stay away from brands you’ve never heard of.

Blade:

The blade of a miter saw, or any saw for that matter, is a very important part of how well it cuts wood.

Most electric saws have replaceable blades that are easy to switch out. But if you also need to buy a new blade for your saw, you might go over your budget.

Also, it’s a bit of a pain that you can’t use your miter saw as it was meant to be used right out of the box… Choosing a miter saw that comes with a solid blade is much easier and usually cheaper.

Another thing to think about is that the depth and height of your cuts will depend on the blade of your miter saw. So, it’s important to think about how you’ll use your saw, what kind of wood you’ll be cutting, etc. Most blades are 8, 10, or 12 inches long. The larger the blade, the bigger the cut.

Also, you need to look at the teeth on the blade. The number of teeth on your miter saw blade affects how smooth the cut will be.

Weight:

When deciding which miter saw model to buy, you should also think about how heavy (or how light) your saw is.

Since you are a beginner, it is usually best to buy a table saw that is lighter. This will allow you to move it around yourself and take it with you when you need to.

Also, models of table saws that are heavier tend to be more expensive. If this is your first time buying a miter saw, you might not be interested in these more expensive models.

Voltage:

What you have in your workshop will determine how much voltage your miter saw needs.

Most of the time, you’ll need a miter saw with 120-volt power, which lets you plug it in anywhere.

If you get better at woodworking and want a bigger, more powerful miter saw, you might want a 220v saw… If this is the case, you will need a plug that can handle this voltage in your workshop.

And there you have it. These are all the most important things to think about when choosing a miter saw.

Bottom Line:

The slide action and powerful motor of the Bosch GCM12SD make it a good choice for beginners people who want a good all-around saw. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, the DEWALT 12-inch single compound miter saw’s ease of use, power, and accuracy may be enough. I hope that you might understand everything about the best miter saw for beginners after reading this article.

FAQs:

What’s the Difference Between a Sliding Miter Saw and a Compound Saw?

A compound miter saw is able to cut both angles and bevels. The cutting arm on a sliding miter saw can be pulled to cut wider boards. A miter saw can both slide and cut in two different ways.

How Can a Beginner Learn How to Use a Miter Saw?

Buy a miter saw that has safety features and read the whole instruction manual before you use it. You might also find it helpful to watch someone else use a miter saw, either in person or by looking at how-to videos online.

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